I'm shocked that Elk River isn't a fixture in the Top 100/200 lists. This golf course just gets better and better as it goes. It's got everything: countless risk-reward options, memorable holes, stunning scenery, and all 18 holes offer something special.

Grandfather Golf & Country Club is a wonderful facility. The staff was extraordinary, and the experience stands out. The golf course, outside of the mountain backdrops, is only above-average. Our group all agreed that Diamond Creek and Elk River were much better layouts and much more dramatic than Grandfather. I'm surprised this one is consistently in and around various Top 100 lists.

Our group had just played a few days at Old Waverly and Dancing Rabbit in Mississippi. Although nice, we were not exactly blown away and decided to explore a few options on the way back home. We had a fun, wind-blown round at Mirimichi outside of Memphis, and headed to Golf Galaxy for a few supplies. We told the pro we were looking for a good track for the morning, and he recommended The Ridges. It was about an hour west of downtown, but he assured us it was worth the detour. Skeptical, we decided to give it a try.... wow! This is the definition of a hidden gem. The terrain is incredible, with huge elevation changes throughout. The North 9 was solid, with some really exciting risk-reward holes. The West was mind-blowing! Holes 1, 2, 6, and 8 are stunning beautiful. The pro mentioned that this course is just about as picturesque as The Alotian Club, and he was right. A must play for anyone near Memphis.

Hurstbourne is a really fun layout and worth at stop for anyone in Louisville. We played this past September, and on a 96 degree afternoon in the fall, the fairways and greens were nearly perfect. The course has tremendous variety, and offers endless risk-reward decisions.

One of Pete Dye's best. After a bit of a slow start, The Honors really gets going on the par-4 5th. The par-5 6th is an amazing natural hole that offers a huge risk/reward situation for those trying to get home in two. The 7th offers a very intimidating tee shot, with water at eye level all down the left hand side, and what looks like the edge of the world to the right. In classic Dye fashion, it looks nearly impossible when the fairway is actually close to 50 yards wide. The 9th, the hole that Tiger made a 7 on during the US Am, offers a nerve-wracking approach to a tiny green. The setting is beautiful, and the routing is perfect.

This is one of the more underrated courses you will see. The land showcases huge elevation changes on the front nine, and the back plays in and along a river valley. The par-3's are spectacular, and are incorporated perfectly into the natural bluffs and streams.

The South Course at Olympia Fields is much different than the North. If I were a member, this would be my choice for daily play. The layout features a variety of holes across heavily undulating terrain. The routing is done so well, as you move up, down, left, and right for the entire 18 holes.

Butler National is one of the best courses I've played in Chicago. The facilities and clubhouse are out of this world, and the guys in the shop treat everyone like family. Of the 222 courses I've played, this one certainly scores in the Top 5 for conditioning. Chicago is a great climate for bentgrass, as the evenings are cool enough to keep them dry and firm all summer. While the par-3 5th gets all the recognition, my favorite hole is the par-4 14th. This hole wraps around a lake all down the left side, and the same hazard even fronts the green. You must make a big decision off the tee, as a long-iron finds the fairway usually, but driver offers the player a chance to have only a wedge to the putting surface.

Olympia Fields (North) makes for a tough day of golf. This course in no frills; simply a collection of challenging golf holes that make you earn every par. It's a great place to host championship tournaments. However, the course lacks two things that most Top 100 level tracks possess. First, the course looks and feels like any other parkland layout you can see all over the Midwest. The only holes that standout are the 3rd and 14th. Second, from any tee you choose, between the brutal rough and elevated greens, scoring is really tough. I can't imagine anyone over a 10 handicap having much fun out there.

The renovation work done at Davenport C.C. was a huge success. Each hole has its own unique character, yet all fit together collectively. This is a golf course that contains all the elements most players love: memorable, beautiful, fun to play, and numerous risk-reward options.

After the first 13 holes at Whispering Pines, I had serious doubts about it's inclusion on any Top 100 lists. The last 5 holes, however, comprise a thrilling closing stretch that uses the natural terrain perfectly. 14: A short par that angles over Caney Creek, and offers the player the option of hitting anything from a mid-iron to driver from the tee. Turning from right to left, you can play relatively safe and leave a short-iron approach, or, depending on the conditions, the green could be driven by long hitters. 15: A mid-range par-3 with an island green in the middle of the gator-infested waters, this one-shotter demands your attention. Our caddie said the wind switches constantly on this hole, creating even more drama as your ball is in the air.16: This is a much longer par-3 that again crosses Caney Creek. Measuring 228 yards from the back, a par is a win here.17: A stunning par-5 with Caney Creek lurking down the entire left side. Reachable in two for some, another tough decision faces the player, as the holes narrows significantly from tee to green.18: This hole will regularly provide scores ranging from 3-8. You must hit a good drive to get to the water-guarded green in regulation. This is the kind of dramatic finishing hole that calls for your very best.

Tiger created a course in Texas that feels like Augusta met North Carolina. The rolling terrain, towering pines, and wide playing corridors make for a tremendous layout. Bluejack is the epitome of the new era of golf course design; it is playable for anyone and gives you options on every hole. My favorite hole is the 8th, a short par-4 that tempts you to drive the green. This track gives Whispering Pines a run for the best place to play in the state.

Diamond Creek combines sheer beauty and an abundance of great hole holes. Tom Fazio did an amazing job of creating a seamless routing on a severe piece of land. The fairways are sand-capped, and always play firm and fast. The greens were excellent; smooth and lightning fast.

The Patriot is a wonderful golf club with a very modern, enjoyable layout. RTJ II and company did a great job on a beautiful site. Pros:- Great variety. Three of the par-5's (1,4, & 15) are unique, exciting golf holes. The course even features a pick-em par-3 at the 6th.- Perfect turf. For someone who grew up on Zoysia, to actually see firm and running is a treat. The club used a new-aged strand (Meyer) to increase short-game options. - Fun. This course is a blast to play, and birdies are to be had for those playing well.Cons:- No course is perfect. There are certainly a handful of holes that just fill in the gaps (3,11, & 16 come to mind).- The course is for all intents and purposes carts only. Overall, I was very impressed. The course is both memorable and beautiful. I could certainly see The Patriot contending for a spot in the Top 200 lists.

I'm glad to see other reviewers have the same sentiments about Southern Hills. It's a very nice course, but how it consistently ranked in the Top 50 in America is puzzling.Pros: - Great shot values.- Great conditions, with firm and fasts greens.Cons:- Most of the holes blend together. Even the iconic 12th seems like a standard risk-reward tee shot par-4.- Bland aesthetically. - Nothing jumps out, whether it be from a design standpoint, fun, memorability, or wow factor.Anytime I play a Top 100 level course, I pretend as if I don't know the history, the accolades, or the fact that those before me approve of it's high status. The vast majority of the time, I walk away thinking the course is fantastic and well worthy of it's place in the rankings. Southern Hills, to be honest, seemed like a really nice country club in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I'd have never guessed it was one of the greats.

As mentioned by others, Oak Tree National is tough. Really, really tough in fact. This is the kind of tough I prefer- a variety of holes and shots to be hit, with reward for good golf and severe punishment for careless play. Pros: - Great variety. Each hole is it's own and they all fit together seamlessly.- Tremendous, scenic par-3's.- Unique greens.Cons:- Might be too tough for hackers.- Homes in view on several holes on the back nine (although they don't pinch in on the course much).Overall, I preferred Oak Tree to Southern Hills by a mile. It's the most enjoyment I've had shooting 87 in my life.

As a proud Fazio fan, I have to admit Old Overton was a letdown. Pros: -Very playable for all skill levels-Good variety, especially on the par-3s-Great conditionsCons:-The course as a whole feels uninspired. Very straightforward without much risk-reward.-Nothing you won't find on any other scenic course in Alabama.I enjoyed the course, but would not make a special trip to see it again.

I can't imagine that golf gets much better than this. Wade Hampton did not meet my expectations; it blew them away. As the assistant professional told me, this is old Fazio, when he worked with the land instead of imposing on it. Although it is a mountain course, it is perfectly placed in the valley, and nearby Chimney Top serves as a beautiful backdrop for several holes.Pros: -Stunning aesthetics and wow factor-Amazing par-3's (3, 6, and 17) and par-5's (1,10, and 18) are the highlights of the course.-Perfect, and I mean perfect, conditions throughout the property.-Wade Hampton is a course that keeps you guessing. Your're not quite sure what hole is next, but you can't wait to find out.Cons:-The par-4's are very good, but not as strong as the 3's and 5's. A few true doglegs would help.-The day we played the turf was perfect, but as others have stated, they have continuously improved drainage due to the extreme amount of rain in the area.As a person who loves to play new courses, and at this point, almost only new courses, Wade Hampton is the only one out of 215 that I would return to immediately if given the chance.

Pros: Amazing aesthetics and wow factor, near perfect conditions, an unbelievable experience, and a very memorable clubhouse.Cons: Lacking strategy off the tee, many of the holes feel similar, and the design elements are very predictable.Overall, I recommend that anyone take an invite to The Alotian Club. Immediately. It rightly deserves it's place in Golf Digest's list of Top 20 Most Beautiful Courses. The experience is second to none. But, as I have read before, this course could have been REALLY special given the property. The greens are fast and challenging, so having a proper angle into some of the longer holes is important. The issue is that there are just too few holes that offer big risk-reward opportunities to qualify the course for perfection.

I'm shocked that Mountaintop is ranked 16th in North Carolina. Personally, after playing several other in the state's top 10, I would put 2nd, or maybe 3rd at worst. Pros:-Wow factor and aesthetics are amazing-Tremendous property with immense elevation changes and natural setting-Great mix of tough and easy holes-Smooth, fast greens with enough contour to challenge the best players but not cause the average golfer to 4-putt all day-A great compliment to Wade Hampton, which is 10 minutes down the roadCons:-Routing isn't the best, with a few lengthy transitions between holes-A few very forgettable holes-Mountaintop features 5 par-3's, and only the 14th really stands out. Very surprising giving the elevation changes and terrainOverall, a great way to spend an afternoon. If you can get on Wade Hampton as well, it makes for an amazing day of golf.

I would love to play this course regularly. As Steve mentioned, the opening hole is gorgeous. The layout plays along and near the river, which creates wildly shifting winds. We played on a beautiful October day in 2016, and the breeze was changing two or three times per hole near the river! These greens are beyond fast. I watched 3/4 players on the practice green putt OFF the surface, myself included.

Boone Valley is a beautiful, challenging course located 45 minutes west of St. Louis. I've been fortunate enough to play the golf course 4 times now.Pros: P.B. Dye did a great job here of creating 18 unique holes that all fit together as one great golf course. The layout keeps a player on his toes, as you can usually hit driver but you may not want to. Boone Valley is located in a beautiful setting where you will only see, hear, and experience pure golf.Cons: Boone Valley is almost always wet. Three of the four times I've played the course, the tees and fairways were over watered. The bent grass tees and fairways simply cannot stand up to the St. Louis weather.

St. Louis Country Club is easily the most prestigious golf course in the state of Missouri. This is one of the toughest invites in the Midwest, and I've played it once in May a few years back. Pros: A classic layout that showcases C.B. Macdonald's full arsenal of template holes: Biarritz, Eden, Cape, Short, Double Plateau, and Alps are all featured in one 18 hole routing. St. Louis C.C. features great variety as well; everything is unique and still congruent. Cons: The course isn't a pushover, but is too short for championship golf in 2019. I've heard from a few others that the wall-to-wall bentgrass turf struggles in the summer months.

Dalhousie is easily the best course in Missouri. Having played the course twice now, once in mid-May and once in early August, I feel comfortable giving a five star rating.Pros: The course has a tremendous combination of rewarding length and accuracy. Many of the holes offer different options off the tee, and the par-4s and 5s offer great variety. Dalhousie offers consistent elevation changes, with golf holes that twist and turn up and down and left and right. The greens are quick and challenging without being obnoxious. Cons: The 18th is quite strange, with a green that extends around 100 yards in length.

Bellerive is one of the best courses in the state of Missouri. Having played the club three times now, I'll give a four star rating.Pros: Challenging, interesting greens that reward precision iron play, the club has a long history of major championships and hosting the best players in the world.Cons: The layout itself is forgettable. Minus, a few holes (2,6, and 17 come to mind), it's four hours of hit it high and far over and over again. The conditions have ranged from average to very good, but the soft, slow conditions they saw at the PGA last year are common